Ludec - The Battle of Hastings 1067?
Possibly the most seminal date in Britain's historical calendar. But what if Harold had not rushed into battle on that fateful day? A change of plan could have radically reshaped an entire nation - and the world. Steven Atkinson's re-imagined future fearlessly entwines science, magic and mayhem in a rich tapestry.
Review
"This fantastical mix of history and make-believe is a must for highbrow and lowbrow readers alike. If I had to pick fault with Ludec it is only this; it is simply not long enough to carry all the strange fruits of Stephen Atkinson’s fertile imagination.
The bizarre imaginings and twists and turns of his convoluted ideas swell the mind to bursting, with fodder enough to cram two or three novels of twice, three times, the size. Where he gets his off-the-wall ideas is anybody’s guess, but they are all here catapulted in a roller coaster ride that will thrill readers of all ages, and of all interests. To be found in the pages of Ludec is a science fiction story of monumental creation, tempered with real history and healthy helpings of the magic and romance of Arthurian legend.
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Sometimes the mind literally reels with the author’s meandering creativity, but at the heart of Ludec there is too a heart-warming story of the small man who, with wit and foresight, can change history. He is everybody’s hero and my one complaint is that he had to die so young."
Richard Ward MA, BA. BEd. Retired head teacher, author of several children’s books.
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Eleusinian Press 144 pages
Front Cover Design: Jan Sampson
Review
"Most of us wistfully wonder what might have happened if King Harold had been victorious at Hastings almost 1,000 years ago. Former Fleet Street reporter Steve Atkinson was intrigued – as was I – when he visited the ancient battle site several miles inland from Eastbourne.
Atkinson, a lively and prolific story teller, has allowed his imagination to run wild to tell us what wonders could have followed if William, Duke of Normandy, had been slain at Hastings instead of Harold. His fertile mind has conjured up an immensely readable tome called ‘Ludec’ about a 22-year-old only partly educated hero who valiantly cautions King Harold prior to the battle, one of the most important landmarks of British history. What – Atkinson asks – if Harold had been victorious on that fateful day?
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Most historians agree the English army, which had just famously defeated the Danes at Stamford Bridge, numbered around 7,500. But in Atkinson’s imagined scenario Harold waits and finally takes to the field with reinforcements totalling 15,000. Victory is assured over William, who can field only the strength he arrived with. But winning is never enough and that although Harold triumphed thanks to Ludec he was greedy for further conquest and finally meets a fate he well deserved. His lust for power led to his eventual demise.
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Ludec and his fellows speak largely in modern English – which is very entertaining when mixed up with the odd ‘sire’ and olde English names. In ‘Ludec’ Atkinson cleverly weaves his own intricately detailed mural to put even the BayeuxTapestry in the shade. Ludec is an amusing read, and it amazes me that nobody has ever thought of this before.
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Of all the war movies I have seen nobody has ever written a screenplay about the Battle of Hastings. My greatest regret is that Atkinson’s exciting fantasies did not in fact turn out to be real. Steve Atkinson’s story-telling takes on a life of its own and his unique style, including simplicity and humour, should be emulated by many authors who seem to specialise in boring their readers to death."
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Terry Pattinson, award winning investigative journalist and Industrial Editor on the Daily Mirror in London for several decades. He is also a playwright who has seen much of his own work staged.
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